Diamond jig fish lure assembly, and components thereof

Abstract

A refurbished diamond jig fish lure consists of the jig body and separate tubular sleeve member and wing piece components mounted thereon. Tapered portions on the jig body, the sleeve member, and the wing piece cooperate to facilitate assembly and maintenance of the assembled unit.

1 . A fish lure assembly comprised of a jig member having an elongated body with a forward end and an opposite rearward end, and including means for attaching a fish line adjacent said forward end and means for attaching a fish hook adjacent said rearward end, said jig member body being longitudinally tapered so as to provide at least a tapered forward end portion thereon;
 a separately formed, compliant tubular sleeve member assembled in tight-fitting conformity with said jig member body along at least a major part of the length of said forward end portion thereof, said sleeve member being fabricated from a plastic material of low stretch modulus; and   a separate wing piece mounted upon said jig member body adjacent said forward end thereof, said wing piece being comprised of a mounting portion, having a central axis along which an aperture extends, and a pair of wing elements extending in generally opposite lateral directions with respect to said central axis, said aperture being dimensioned and configured to cause said wing piece to fit upon and engage a section on said forward end portion of said jig member body adjacent said forward end thereof.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said body is longitudinally tapered toward both of said opposite ends from a central region. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said jig member body is formed with a multiplicity of facets extending longitudinally thereon. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein there are four of said facets extending along substantially the entire length of said jig member body, and wherein said jig member body is of generally equilateral parallelogrammatic cross section along substantially the entire length thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of said attaching means comprises an eyelet secured to said jig member body. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said jig member body is fabricated from a heavy solid material. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said tubular sleeve member is formed with a taper at one end, said taper corresponding generally to the longitudinal taper of said forward end portion of said jig member body. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 7  wherein said tubular sleeve member, as produced, has a taper of about 3° to 10° at said one end thereof, taken with reference to a longitudinal axis of said sleeve member. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said section of said jig member body adjacent said forward end thereof is tapered, and wherein said aperture in said wing piece mounting portion is tapered to mate with said body section. 
   
   
       10 . A fish lure assembly comprised of a jig member having an elongate body with a forward end and an opposite rearward end, and including means for attaching a fish line adjacent said forward end, said jig member body being longitudinally tapered so as to provide at least a tapered forward end portion thereon; and
 a separately formed, complaint tubular sleeve member assembled in tight-fitting conformity with said jig member body along at least a substantial part of the length of said forward end portion thereof, said sleeve member being fabricated from a plastic material of low stretch modulus and being formed with a tapered portion at one end, the taper of said tapered portion corresponding generally to the longitudinal taper of said forward end portion of said of said jig member body, said sleeve member tapered portion being stretched by said forward end portion of said jig member body to elastically engage said jig member body and resist further deformation.   
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein, as produced, said tubular sleeve member is of circular cross section along its entire length, and wherein said substantial part of the length of said forward end portion of said jig body is at least one inch. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein said tubular sleeve member is flaccid and devoid of internal structure, and wherein said forward end portion of said jig member body is defined by a plurality of longitudinally continuous surfaces and is devoid of engaging elements lying above or below said continuous surfaces. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein said plastic material from which said tubular sleeve member is formed has an elongation value of 100 to 300 percent, as determined by ASTM method D-638. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein said taper of said forward end portion of said jig member body, and said taper of said one end of said tubular sleeve member, are substantially the same and have a value of about 3° to 10° taken with reference to the longitudinal axes thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein said tubular sleeve member has an opening at said one end through which said forward end portion of said jig member protrudes and through which said means for attaching a fish line extends. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein said tubular sleeve member is made with at least one characteristic for simulating at lest one feature of live fishing bait. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein said at least one characteristic is selected from the group consisting of coloration, eyes, fins, and tentacles. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein said tubular sleeve member is made with eye and tentacle characteristics to simulate a squid. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 15  wherein a luminescent, fluorescent, or iridescent dye or pigment is incorporated on or into said plastic material from which said sleeve member is fabricated. 
   
   
       20 . A fish lure assembly comprised of a jig member having an elongate body with a forward end and an opposite rearward end, and including means for attaching a fish line adjacent said forward end, said jig member body being longitudinally tapered so as to provide at least a tapered forward end portion thereon; and
 a separate wing piece mounted upon said jig member body adjacent said forward end thereof, said wing piece being comprised of a mounting portion, having a central axis along which an aperture extends, and a pair of wing elements extending in generally opposite lateral directions with respect to said central axis, said aperture being dimensioned and configured to cause said wing piece to fit upon, and fixedly engage, a section of said jig member body adjacent said forward end thereof.   
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein said aperture of said wing piece is tapered to match the taper of said forward end section of said jig member body; and wherein forward end section of said jig member body, and said wing piece aperture, are of generally equilateral parallelogrammatic cross section, said wing piece unidirectionally fixedly engaging said jig member body section. 
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein said wing piece is molded from a plastic material of such Durometer value and elongation value as to permit said wing piece to resiliently deform and elastically engage said jig member body section. 
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 22  wherein said plastic material from which said wing piece is molded has a Durometer value of about 3 to 65 on the Shore A scale, and an elongation of about 300 to 1,000 percent. 
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein said jig member is fabricated from a heavy solid material and has a weight of about 4 to 16 ounces.